BridgeSat, Inc. today announced an agreement with Draper Laboratory to support the development of the ground stations that are an integral part of BridgeSat’s optical connectivity system. This optical connectivity system will improve the transfer of data from satellites and high-altitude unmanned vehicles (UAVs), by removing the barriers that currently exist with radio frequency spectrum for carrying large volumes of data from space to the ground.
“Laser communications will open the door to a variety of new sources of data that the U.S. government and businesses will use to make critical decisions”
Draper’s research team, led by Draper’s Director of Space Services Séamus Tuohy, has developed technology that will be used by BridgeSat for ground station operations, task automation, and efficient data delivery. This agreement will facilitate the development of BridgeSat’s laser communications receivers and data processing centers that provide rapid, optimal and secure data transmissions.
“Our collaboration with Draper positions us to offer a unique ground-processing architecture to handle the dramatically increasing amount of data being transmitted from low earth orbit,” said John Serafini, co-General Manager of BridgeSat, who is also a Vice President at its parent company, Allied Minds (LSE: ALM).
“Laser communications will open the door to a variety of new sources of data that the U.S. government and businesses will use to make critical decisions,” said Draper’s Tuohy. “Draper’s experience in automating functions on spacecraft like the International Space Station, as well as our precision-pointing and tracking expertise, will help take this technology from the realm of experimentation into daily operational use.”
Draper Laboratory is a not-for-profit research and development organization working to advance technology in the areas of space exploration, energy, healthcare and security. The company has proven precision pointing expertise, and has developed products for NASA including the Timeliner™ software used to reduce astronaut workload at the International Space Station.
For more information on BridgeSat, visit www.bridgesatinc.com.
About Draper Laboratory
As an independent, not-for-profit engineering research and development organization, Draper Laboratory serves the interests of clients in fields such as national security, space, biomedical and energy. The laboratory leverages core capabilities in guidance and navigation, information and decision systems, high reliability systems, sensors and control, and integrated micro systems to deliver fieldable, innovative solutions. For more information, visit www.draper.com
About BridgeSat Inc.
BridgeSat has designed an optical connectivity system that aims to improve the wireless transfer of data from satellites. The system provides an alternative transmission mechanism that is designed to be faster, more secure and available at a lower cost to traditional radio frequency systems, while meeting the constrained size, weight and power requirements inherent with small satellite operations. More information can be found at www.bridgesatinc.com.
About Allied Minds
Allied Minds (LSE: ALM) is an innovative U.S. science and technology development and commercialization company. Operating since 2006, Allied Minds forms, funds, manages and builds products and businesses based on innovative technologies developed at leading U.S. universities and federal research institutions. Allied Minds serves as a diversified holding company that supports its businesses and product development with capital, central management and shared services. More information about the Boston-based company can be found at
